Method and apparatus for extermination of pests

ABSTRACT

An extermination device for exterminating pests includes a holder, trigger mechanism and a resilient ring mounted on the holder. When a pest actuates the trigger mechanism, the ring is released from the holder onto the pest, thereby killing the pest in a humane manner. A cover may be provided to protect the trigger mechanism from dirt and animals larger than target pest size. A loading device having a tapering body adapted to allow a resilient ring to be expanded from the narrow end to the wide end of the tapering body, wherein the wide end includes a formation adapted to engage with a holder of an extermination device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/581,533, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTERMINATION OF PESTS,” filed Apr. 9, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,050, issued Apr. 5, 2011, which is a National Stage Entry of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/NZ04/000316, filed Dec. 6, 2004, and New Zealand Patent Application Serial No. 529970, filed Dec. 4, 2003, the subject matters of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extermination of pests, in particular rats, stoats and other vermin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a number of countries such as New Zealand, introduced species of animal have had a detrimental effect on the indigenous or native plant, bird, insect and other life.

In an attempt to control and exterminate pests, whether introduced species or not, a large number of different traps and similar mechanisms have been designed to capture and/or kill pests. A difficulty with many such traps is that the trapped pest does not die humanely and this can be a particular concern. A typical trap which is inhumane is the type of trap generally known as a gin trap which has a set of jaws to clamp a part of the pest. Normally in gin traps a pest is held until it either dies naturally or alternatively is killed by a person attending the trap.

In known traps, including household mouse traps, the pest's body is attached to the trap. This leads to waste, since some squeamish owners would rather throw the entire trap away than empty and reset the trap. This also sometime leads to the trap becoming dirty, especially if the trap is not emptied promptly and the pest's body decays. This may affect the functioning of the trap.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,066 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,896 both disclose a snare in which a noose is released onto a pest. A spring or elastic band is arranged so as to hold the noose around the pest, without tightening the noose. Nor does the spring or elastic band itself tighten sufficiently to kill the pest. The noose is tightened when the animal tries to escape, as with any conventional snare, restraining the animal in an inhumane manner. Both snares are intended to catch an animal alive. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,066 the spring is arranged to limit the minimum size of the noose so as to hold the animal without harming it (see page 2, right hand column, lines 38 to 70). These snares are therefore both restraining devices rather than extermination devices.

Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,066 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,896 the animal, once snared, remains attached to the snare by the noose. This is necessary where animals are to be captured alive and the snares must therefore be checked regularly. However, it is undesirable in devices for extermination of pests, where traps may not be checked regularly and the pest remains decay. This results in a dirty trap, and the function of the trap may be affected. Also, if an animal is still attached to the snare another pest is unlikely to approach the snare to activate the trigger mechanism.

JP 2003070408 and JP 2001333683 both disclose a device for attaching a bell to a rat. The bell is held in place by an elastic band. However, the elastic band does not kill the rat.

An object of the invention is to provide an extermination device allowing extermination of a pest in a quick, efficient and humane manner, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight versatile user friendly relatively inexpensive means for exterminating pests which at least offers a useful alternative choice.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for exterminating a pest which substantially eliminates the risk of killing wildlife which is intended to be saved or preserved by use of the means for extermination, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides an extermination device, comprising a holder and a trigger mechanism, the holder being configured to hold an expanded resilient ring, wherein the extermination device is configured to release the resilient ring free of the extermination device such that it contracts around a pest when the trigger mechanism is actuated by the pest, thereby exterminating the pest.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of exterminating a pest, comprising the steps of:

holding an expanded resilient ring on a holder; and

releasing the resilient ring free of the holder such that it contracts around a pest when a trigger mechanism is actuated by the pest, thereby exterminating the pest.

In a third aspect the invention provides a loading device having a tapering body adapted to allow a resilient ring to be expanded from the narrow end to the wide end of the tapering body, wherein the wide end includes a formation adapted to engage with a holder of an extermination device.

In contrast to the prior art, the invention provides a device for exterminating pests where a rubber ring is released onto a pest to exterminate the pest. In particular, the invention relates to an extermination device, not to a restraining or holding device. The mechanisms disclosed in the prior art are not suitable for use in such a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the side of an extermination device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the extermination device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the extermination device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the side of the extermination device;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the exterminator device;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through an example of an extermination device incorporating a reloading and/or resetting mechanism with a plurality of resilient rings;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of an extermination device having an internal trigger mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of a further embodiment of an extermination device;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the device of FIG. 9, showing internal features;

FIG. 13 shows the firing mechanism of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 shows the trigger mechanism of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing the device after it has been triggered and has released the resilient ring;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 12, showing the device after it has been triggered and has released the resilient ring;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cover for use with the extermination device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 9 and the cover of FIG. 17 in an assembled state; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a loading device for use with the extermination device of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first example in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings show the actual size of an extermination device designed for rats or stoats. It is to be appreciated that for other animals the overall size and dimensions of the extermination device may be larger or smaller as needed to suit the size of the target pests.

In FIG. 1 is shown an extermination device including a holder 100 and a front cover 3.

The holder 100 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 4. The holder 100 comprises a central section 1 and a cover 2, and is tubular, with an internal bore 4. The holder may be circular in cross-section as shown in the drawings, or may have another suitable cross-section. The diameter of the bore 4 is chosen to suit the target pest and the tube has an entrance or open mouth 5 at a first end where the pest enters. For small pests such as mice, rats and stoats the diameter is preferably in the range 25 to 40 mm. For larger pests such as polecats, possums and cats, the diameter is preferably in the range 60 to 100 mm.

The second end of the holder 100 is formed by the cover 2, creating a closed region in which food or an attractant is placed.

The extermination device has a trigger operated by a trigger mechanism 6 shown in FIG. 3. To set the trigger mechanism, it is pushed backwards in a slot 25 and to the right (as shown in FIG. 4), such that it sits in a notch 24 in the holder. When a pest enters the trap, the trigger mechanism 6 moves arcuately (as shown by arrow 7 in FIG. 3), so that it is released from the notch and is forced forwards by a spring 20 to release the resilient ring 8. The resilient ring 8 is mounted relative to the mouth 5 of the extermination device in a release position, adjacent to the open mouth 5, such that after it slides off the open mouth 5 it contracts around whatever is within the open mouth 5 of the holder 100. Other trigger mechanisms may also be suitable.

The resilient ring 8 may be formed of natural or synthetic rubber or a composite material. It could also be formed from metal in the form of a spring, or at least partly of rigid material with a biasing means tending to force sides of the ring together. While the resilient ring is preferably circular in shape, it could, for example, be formed from a rectangle of resilient material with a hole cut through it. Other configurations may also be suitable.

The resilient ring 8 has a normal diameter that is significantly less than the diameter of the holder at the release position so that on release from the open mouth 5 it contracts to its normal size which is less than the size of the neck of the target pest.

On activation of the trigger mechanism 6 by a pest whose head is within the mouth 5 the rubber or composite ring 8 traps whatever is in the mouth of the extermination device. Any animal or pest that activates the trip arm 6 therefore has immediately placed around its neck a resilient ring which will cut off the blood and air supply to the animal thereby killing it humanely. The ring is dimensioned and the material used for the ring is chosen to create a sufficient inwards force to achieve this purpose.

A suitable ring for extermination of mice, rats, stoats and squirrels may have an outside diameter of about 14 mm and an inside diameter of about 6 mm. The ring may then be stretched onto a holder, such that its inside diameter is about 40 mm. Rings used in New Zealand for docking sheep's tails have been found suitable. Rings of different sizes are of course suitable for pests of different sizes.

After release of the ring, the pest and the ring free of the device. Since the ring 8 is not retained by the extermination device, the animal may still move away from the site of the extermination means, so that other pests will be able to actuate the trigger mechanism. This also means that the body of the pest is not attached to the device, allowing a person to reset the device with a new ring without touching the pest's body. Also, if the pest moves away from the device, the device will not be affected by the decaying remains of the pest. This also allows an automatic reloading mechanism to be used, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front cover 3 can be provided and is designed to protect against accidental tripping of the trip arm. The front cover 3 has an opening 9 to allow a pest to access the opening 5.

The front cover 3 connects with the holder at surface 10 and is positioned so that the target animal can still reach and actuate the trigger mechanism.

In the second example shown in FIG. 6 the extermination device has similar parts to those incorporated in the first example referenced by the same numerals. In this case the exterminator device has an automatic loading mechanism. The loading mechanism includes a moveable shaft 11 with a ratchet mechanism 12 operated by the trigger mechanism 6. Movement of the shaft 11 is under the bias of a spring 13. The shaft 11 includes stops 14. A hinged cover 15 is provided to enable access to the mechanism when it is being reloaded with more or additional rings 8.

In use when an animal pest tries to eat bait or attractant 16 it knocks the trigger mechanism 6. A first ring is released from the release position, contracting around the pest's neck. The spring 13 will then push forward and the trigger mechanism will be reset on its next notch ready to be tripped again. The forward movement of the shaft 11 presents the next in the succession of rings 8 to the release position adjacent to the mouth 5 of the holder 100.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third example of an extermination device according to the invention. This example differs from the device described above in that the trigger mechanism is located within the holder. This protects the trigger mechanism from dirt, twigs and the like, which may prevent it from functioning correctly. The trigger functions in a manner similar to that described above.

These figures also show the device with a base plate 21 for mounting the extermination device in a suitable position. The base plate 21 preferably includes holes 22, 23 to facilitate such mounting.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 to 19. FIG. 9 is a front plan view, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view, of the extermination device 1, showing the trigger mechanism 6, firing hammer 30 and resilient ring 8. With reference to FIG. 13, the firing hammer 30 includes a generally cylindrical section 32 and a protrusion 33. The cylindrical section 32 slides on rod 35, which is joined to the rear face of the device housing by a screw 36, as shown in FIG. 11. A spring 34 is mounted on the rod 35, to urge the firing hammer 30 along the rod 35 towards the resilient ring 8.

With reference to FIG. 14, the trigger mechanism 6 is formed integrally with a lug 31 and is attached to the device housing by a screw 37.

In the cocked position shown in FIG. 12, the firing hammer compresses the spring 34 and is held in position by the lug 31, as best shown in FIG. 9. When a pest enters the trap, forcing the trigger mechanism 6 upwards, the trigger mechanism pivots around the screw 37, such that the lug 31 no longer restricts movement of the firing hammer 30. The firing hammer slides along the rod 35 towards the resilient ring 8. The protrusion 33 forces the resilient ring 8 off the holder, onto the pest. The position of the extermination device in the fired position is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

In practice, a robust firing mechanism such as that described above is required. This is because the resilient ring must be stretched over the holder. As the ring is dimensioned and of sufficient resilience to block the pest's blood and air supplies, the inward force created by this stretching is large, so that forcing the ring off the holder also requires a large force.

FIG. 17 shows a cover 42 for use with the extermination device of this embodiment. The cover 42 includes a base section 40 and a cylindrical section 41. The base section 40 may include holes and/or slots for securing the extermination device to the ground, a tree etc. The device shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 is assembled with the cover 42, as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 shows the device and cover in a partially assembled state. The device is pushed into the cover through the cylindrical section 41. In a fully assembled state the device would rest against the end 43 of the cover. This arrangement protects the mechanism of the device from contamination by dirt etc and prevents animals of a size greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section 41 from activating the trap.

FIG. 19 shows a loading device for use with the extermination device of FIGS. 9 to 16. The loading device includes a generally conical section 50 and a coupling section 51. In use, the device is set in the cocked position and the coupling section 51 is inserted into the device, such that the shoulder 52 sits flush with the open mouth 5 of the device. A resilient ring 8 can then be forced along the generally conical section 50 and into the release position on the extermination device. The loading device is then removed.

The device may be placed in any position that a targeted pest can access. The device may be placed on the ground, in a tree or attached to a board or post, for example.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A vermin extermination device comprising: a housing, said housing having a closed passage therein with an open end; a trigger device having a trigger, said trigger placed along said open end of said closed passage; a ring release mechanism connected to said trigger mechanism; and at least one resilient ring, said ring release mechanism releasing said at least one resilient ring after said at least one resilient ring is expanded, upon configuration of said at least one expanded resilient ring and actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, onto said vermin, said at least one expanded resilient ring, upon release by said ring release mechanism onto said vermin, detaches from said vermin extermination device so as to be free therefrom and contracts onto said vermin, whereby said vermin is killed.
 2. The extermination device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to hold a plurality of expanded resilient rings and to hold a first one of the expanded resilient rings at a release position, and the extermination device is configured to release the first one of the expanded resilient rings when the trigger device is actuated and to move a second one of the expanded resilient rings to the release position when the first one of the expanded resilient rings is released from the release position.
 3. The extermination device according to claim 2, further comprising a biasing means configured to apply a force to the second one of the resilient rings, towards the release position.
 4. The extermination device according to claim 3, wherein the biasing means is coupled to the trigger device.
 5. The extermination device according to claim 1, configured to release the at least one expanded resilient ring, such that it contracts around a neck of the vermin.
 6. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, further comprising: loading device means having a tapering body adapted to allow said resilient ring to be expanded from a narrow end to a wide end of the tapering body, wherein the wide end includes a formation adapted to engage with said housing of said vermin extermination device.
 7. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein the vermin are selected from the group consisting of mice, rats, stoats, polecats, possums and other animals considered vermin.
 8. The vermin extermination device according to claim 7, wherein the diameter of said common passage for said vermin is selected from the group consisting of about 25-40 mm, about 60-100 mm, and diameters consistent with said vermin.
 9. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said extermination device is affixable to an object or surface selected from the group consisting of the ground, a tree, a pole, a post, a board, a horizontal surface and a vertical surface.
 10. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein a bait or attractant is placed within said closed passage prior to configuring said vermin extermination device to kill said vermin.
 11. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said trigger device is disposed within said closed passage.
 12. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring means for assisting the ring release mechanism in releasing said at least one expanded resilient ring.
 13. The vermin extermination device according to claim 12, wherein said spring means, upon actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, applies a force to said ring release mechanism, forcing said at least one expanded resilient ring onto said vermin.
 14. The vermin extermination device according to claim 13, wherein said expanded resilient ring is disposed on said housing adjacent the open end thereof, whereby said force from said spring means pushes said at least one expanded resilient ring free of the housing.
 15. The vermin extermination device according to claim 14, wherein said housing comprises a notch at said open end, said spring means connected to said trigger device through said notch, said spring means, upon actuation by said vermin, applying said force to said at least one expanded resilient ring along said notch, whereby said spring means pushes said at least one expanded resilient ring off said housing onto said vermin.
 16. The vermin extermination device according to claim 12, wherein said spring means, upon actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, applies a lateral force to said expanded resilient ring.
 17. The vermin extermination device according to claim 12, wherein said extermination device is armed by a user contracting said spring means.
 18. The vermin extermination device according to claim 12, wherein said trigger device comprises: a firing means having a cocked position and a release position, and said spring means for biasing said firing means when in said cocked position to said release position, whereby upon actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, said firing means, through action by said spring means, moves from said cocked position to said release position.
 19. The vermin extermination device according to claim 18, wherein said firing means, under the action of said spring means, pushes said at least one expanded resilient ring free of said extermination device and onto said vermin.
 20. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, further comprising leverage means for leveraging the energy input in arming said at least one expanded resilient ring to release said at least one expanded resilient ring.
 21. The vermin extermination device according to claim 20, wherein said extermination device is armed by a user placing said at least one resilient ring onto said ring release mechanism.
 22. The vermin extermination device according to claim 20, wherein said leverage means comprises: a firing means having a cocked position and a release position, and a biasing means for biasing said firing means when in said cocked position to said release position, whereby upon actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, said firing means, through action by said biasing means, moves from said cocked position to said release position.
 23. The vermin extermination device according to claim 22, wherein said firing means, under the action of said biasing means, pushes said at least one expanded resilient ring free of said extermination device and onto said vermin.
 24. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient ring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, a composite material and a metal.
 25. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one expanded resilient ring has a configuration selected from the group consisting of: circular and rectangular.
 26. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one expanded resilient ring, upon release, contracts to a normal size, the contracted resilient ring at said normal size having an inner diameter less than a neck size of a vermin.
 27. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein said trigger device and said ring release mechanism are connected to said housing.
 28. The vermin extermination device according to claim 27, further comprising: a cover, said cover engaging the open end of said housing, said cover having a second open end thereof, said vermin entering said second open end and engaging said ring release mechanism.
 29. The vermin extermination device according to claim 28, wherein a user arms said trigger device and said ring release mechanism on said housing while said cover is separate from said housing, and wherein said user then connects said housing and said cover, arming the vermin extermination device.
 30. The vermin extermination device according to claim 28, further comprising: interlocking means for connecting said housing with said cover.
 31. The vermin extermination device according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a configuration selected from the group consisting of tubular and rectangular.
 32. A method of exterminating vermin, the method comprising employing the vermin extermination device of claim
 1. 33. A method of exterminating vermin comprising: loading at least one resilient ring onto a ring release mechanism, said at least one resilient ring loaded being expanded thereby; setting a trigger device having a trigger; positioning said trigger along an open end of a holder, said holder having a closed passage therein; and placing a bait or attractant within said closed passage, wherein upon actuation of said trigger by a vermin, triggering the release of said at least one expanded resilient ring from said extermination device onto said vermin such that said at least one expanded ring is free from said extermination device, whereby the at least one released expanded resilient ring contracts upon and kills said vermin.
 34. The method of exterminating vermin according to claim 33, further comprising: arming said extermination device by a user contracting a spring means, said spring means providing the energy to activate said extermination device after actuation by said vermin.
 35. The method of exterminating vermin according to claim 33, further comprising: arming said extermination device by a user expanding said at least one resilient ring onto said ring release mechanism, said at least one expanded resilient ring providing the energy to activate said extermination device after actuation by said vermin.
 36. The method of exterminating vermin according to claim 33, wherein a plurality of said resilient rings are loaded onto said ring release mechanism, and wherein said ring release mechanism releases one of said plurality of resilient rings onto said vermin.
 37. The method of exterminating vermin according to claim 36, further comprising, after said one resilient ring is released, moving a second of said resilient rings to a release position.
 38. A method of exterminating a pest, comprising the steps of: holding an expanded resilient ring on a holder, said expanded resilient ring posed along an open end of a closed passage of said holder, a bait or attractant being placed within said closed passage; and releasing the expanded resilient ring free of the holder such that it contracts around a pest free from said holder when said pest actuates a trigger mechanism, thereby exterminating the pest.
 39. A kit for a vermin extermination device comprising: a housing, said housing having a closed passage therein with an open end; a trigger device having a trigger, said trigger when configured placed along said open end of said closed passage; a ring release mechanism when configured connected to said trigger mechanism; and at least one resilient ring, said ring release mechanism when configured releasing an expanded resilient ring placed thereon, upon actuation of said trigger device by said vermin, onto said vermin; said expanded resilient ring, when configured and upon release by said ring release mechanism onto said vermin, detaches from said vermin extermination device and contracts onto said vermin, whereby said vermin is killed by the configured vermin extermination device. 